Chapter 2 Author: Harlow
The surroundings were silent, with only an undying longing remaining.
After a long pause, Chris spoke softly, “Mom, I’m getting a divorce.”
He silently lowered his head, tears streaming from his eyes, and only the tombstone heard his whisper, “If only we had never gotten married.”
On the way back, he went to the law firm to pick up the divorce papers he had prepared long ago. He had already made preparations when he first mentioned it to his mother-in-law. He thought, since Jessica had no feelings for him, separating was for the best, and it wouldn’t delay her reconciling with Michael.
There weren’t many of his belongings at home, as if from the very beginning he had anticipated this day, so he deliberately left no personal traces in the house. After an afternoon of packing, he was left with only a small suitcase. If he hadn’t truly lived in that home for five years, anyone would have thought he was just a guest.
That evening, Jessica unexpectedly returned home early. When she opened the door, it wasn’t the familiar warmth that greeted her, nor the sight of Chris busying himself in the kitchen. The inexplicable silence made her heart skip a beat, and she instinctively reached for her phone to call Chris.
Elsewhere, at the University of Askaton’s medical school, Chris’s former mentor, Jonathan Reed, was shocked by his changes. Just five years of married life had turned a once high-spirited young man into someone worn down and defeated—he had been the mentor’s most outstanding student! He had also been the most promising genius. Back then, even before he graduated from medical school, Ivy League universities abroad had offered him full scholarships, and countless hospitals had extended invitations. Everyone thought he would choose the best path for himself, but unexpectedly, he went and got married. And it didn’t even turn out well.
“Chris, why…” Jonathan, with trembling, wrinkled hands, held his hand tightly. “If you’re truly unhappy, then choose a different path. Do you know how many people are waiting for you to return to the operating table?” As a student, he had been the only one allowed to perform surgery alongside top surgeons before graduating, his precision flawless, with no one in the field able to fault him.
Chris gave a soft laugh and gently patted the teacher’s hand in reassurance. “The divorce is almost finalized. I came today to ask for your help in reinstating my student status. I’ll handle the paperwork soon.”
When he heard this, the mentor’s eyes lit up.
“Really?”
“Yes.” Chris felt a sense of clarity and relief. He said softly, “Five years—we’re even now. From now on, we’ll go our separate ways. I’m signing the divorce papers tonight. I remembered you had mentioned an exchange opportunity at a medical school in Desland… I’m wondering if I still have a chance.”
“Of course!” Jonathan hurriedly rummaged through drawers and pulled out the application form Chris had left. “Look, I already signed my part. It just needs your signature now.”
So the mentor had been concerned about him all along.
Just as he stepped out of the office, his phone rang. When he pulled it out and saw the caller ID, it was Jessica. He couldn’t even remember the last time they had talked on the phone. When he occasionally called to ask if she would be home for dinner, it was always her secretary who answered.
“Where are you?” On the other end of the line, there was a rustling sound—she had just taken off a coat.
He paused, then said, “At the university. My mentor called me back for some questions.”
Jessica frowned. “You’ve been graduated for so long. What’s there to ask? Hurry up and come back home.”
“Okay.” His voice was as calm as ever, giving away nothing. Yet deep down, a faint sense of anticipation stirred.
His packed suitcase was in the living room; Jessica would notice it if she paid any attention.
The fingerprint lock unlocked with a beep, and when he pushed the door open, silence greeted him. Chris glanced at the suitcase in the corner—it was still there, untouched. What exactly was he expecting?
“I know, I’m on my way. Don’t worry.”
Jessica seemed freshly bathed, her hair still damp, her face slightly anxious. On any other day, he would have told her to blow-dry her hair before going out. Even if she found it a hassle, he would have done it for her himself. But today, Chris silently took out the divorce papers. He was still standing at the entrance, hadn’t even changed his shoes. There was no need to guess—the call was about Michael.
Once she ended the call, Jessica immediately dialed her secretary. “Drive over and pick up Michael and Jordan right now. Jordan has a fever. Take them to the hospital. I’m on my way.” With that, she passed by Chris without so much as a glance, as if he didn’t exist.
He couldn’t hold back any longer and directly handed her the divorce papers. “Sign them.”
Only then did Jessica look up at him, frozen for a moment. “You… Jordan is sick. I’m going to check on her.”
“It’s okay.” Chris nodded. “After the divorce, you can openly care for Mr. Hall and his child.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m in a rush.” Jessica, one hand on her phone, the other pulling on a coat, saw that he still didn’t move. Irritated, she snatched the paper and pen from him and quickly signed her name. She looked annoyed. “You only show this much enthusiasm when money is involved.”
Chris was stunned.
Even after retrieving the signed papers, he didn’t lift his head. “Jessica, do you know what you just signed?”
“Isn’t it the adoption papers?” Jessica snapped. “We never had kids. My mom has been pushing us to adopt. I’m telling you now—I don’t have the time.”
'Adoption? A child?' It did sound vaguely familiar, but Chris felt that even if they brought a child into their house, with their relationship, that child wouldn’t be happy. He had rejected the idea.
The phone rang again, sharp and urgent. For a moment, Chris wanted to snatch it from her hand and throw it away. He wanted to scream, ‘If I’m nothing in your eyes or heart, then why did you say we’d build a good life together?’
There had been happy days between him and Jessica. It was about a year after their marriage, when Michael’s life abroad had finally stabilized, that Jessica let go of the hope he’d return—and started trying to live a good life with Chris. That had been a rare, joyful time for him. He attended classes during the day and cooked dinner at night. The same hands that controlled life and death on the operating table, were willing to cook for her.
“Did Michael treat you well?” Chris suddenly asked. “I mean, back then.”
Jessica didn’t stop walking, only turned around at the door to glance at him, her eyes cold and sharp. “Stop annoying me.”
“Jessica, I…”
Before he could finish, the sharp sound of the door slamming cut him off.
He stood still for a few seconds, then chuckled. What exactly had he been hoping for? Didn’t he already know how obsessed Jessica was with Michael? If that was the case, then what more was there to say? After all, the signed divorce papers were already in his hand.
He tightened his grip on them, walked over to the sofa, and pulled the suitcase that had been sitting there all day. He looked around the home where he had lived for five years. Even though he had never felt warmth there, as long as he and Jessica had lived in it, it had still felt like home. Especially after his mother passed away. He honestly wondered—when would Jessica realize he was gone?
'Jessica, the person you don’t love will leave. The person you love will return. Is that person, Michael?'